Joel 2.25 So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.
A young man appeared at my door yesterday saying the bike I had sold him needed a bit of a repair on the front wheel. He said it was not running straight. Usually this is a ten-minute job to put right. He then admitted that when the bike had gone over a big hump in the road and had taken off, that he heard a cracking noise and had seen a slight crack on the forks. (The forks hold the front wheel and are an important structural part of the bike). So, the ten-minute job turns into an hour job, as I see that there is a very large crack and find replacement forks to assemble the new part. He rides it off only to return and say there is a rubbing noise. I check the back wheel and find it is buckled and beyond repair. So, I find him a good replacement back wheel and fit it on and send him on his way. How much does he have to pay for all this? Nothing, because the bike is under a two-week guarantee.
God promises to restore to us what the devil has taken. Often what would take years to heal on its own can be done by Jesus quickly and dramatically. There are a few keys to receiving this restoration and being healed and restored. First admitting our faults is often a good starting place. It says in James 5.16 ‘confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed’. Like Geoff pointed out in his thought for the day yesterday repentance is a very necessary part of our Christian walk. James also points out that confessing our faults to one another is also part of healing and restoration. Once the young man admitted he had gone very fast over the bumps in the road, I was able to understand why his bike was not working properly, and exercise grace!
It is at times like this that the Holy Spirit will highlight things in our lives, so that we can be restored, and go on to achieve all that God wants us to be and do.
